Crisis/Triage Co-Responder Therapist - CU Police Department
Requisition Number: 74257
Location: Boulder Colorado
Employment Type: University Staff
Schedule: Full Time
Posting Close Date: 20-Aug-2026
Date Posted:
Job Summary
If you're an experienced crisis clinician who enjoys working independently, thinking on your feet, and collaborating across disciplines, this position offers a unique opportunity to make an immediate impact. As a CAPS/CUPD Co-Responder, you'll provide real-time mental health intervention in the community while helping connect individuals to the least restrictive, most appropriate care. The CAPS/CUPD Co-Responder program provides direct mental health and crisis related services to support the health and safety of the CU-Boulder community, its affiliates, and local community members. The Co-Responder team will be employees of Counseling and Psychiatric Services, embedded in the University of Colorado - Boulder Police Department (CUPD).
The Co-Responder clinician will be paired with CUPD officers responding to mental health calls (both in person and via telehealth) to provide in-the-moment crisis assessments, disposition planning, and follow-up care coordination. This position may also be deployed with CUPD officers as part of a mutual aid request from other area law enforcement agencies for mental health-related crises. The majority of this work will take place in the field, outside of a traditional office. The co-responder team, in partnership with CUPD, primarily operates using a primary response model. Co-responder clinicians typically spend the first portion of their shift completing follow-up care coordination, documentation, consultation, and other administrative responsibilities before joining a CUPD officer for the second half of the shift to respond to mental health-related calls and provide field-based crisis intervention. On occasion, the co-responder clinician may be asked to transport themselves to join the officer on scene. A University vehicle may be available to the co-responder clinician in these situations.
CU Boulder CAPS is a training clinic, and as such, this position may have the opportunity to provide formal or informal supervision to staff in training including Post-Master's Social Work Fellows; Psychology Interns, Psychology Practicum Students and/or Psychology Post-Doc Fellows.
This position works collaboratively with CAPS, CUPD, campus departments, and community partners to support coordinated, multidisciplinary responses to behavioral health concerns. The Co-Responder approaches assessment, intervention, referral, and consultation through a culturally responsive, trauma-informed lens that considers the unique experiences, identities, and systemic factors affecting those served.
CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.
Who We Are
The Division of Student Life consists of 36 departments that provide student support and services dedicated to helping students become successful, curious, competent individuals during their time at CU Boulder.
Counseling and Psychiatric Services (CAPS) supports the well-being, mental health, and academic success of students by providing comprehensive clinical care, consultation, and outreach to the campus community. CAPS also offers outstanding training, preparing the next generation of mental health providers. Our team is multicultural and multidisciplinary, drawing from diverse professional backgrounds and theoretical approaches. As a department within the Division of Student Life, we work to create an affirming and welcoming environment where all identities and lived experiences are valued and where every student can thrive.
What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be
Face to Face/Direct Service
Provide crisis intervention through in-person or telehealth crisis outreach, crisis de-escalation, and clinical assessments. Partner with CUPD commissioned police officers during mental health calls or welfare checks.
Provide follow-up outreach to students contacted by CUPD and identified as needing mental health support/follow up.
Partner with CUPD officers during regular shift duties and large events to provide early detection and resolution of emerging mental health situations.
Facilitate involuntary hospitalizations and authorize mental health protocols, specifically M1 Holds, as needed for those who meet the criteria.
Coordinate with mental health facilities and other agencies receiving students on an M1 to provide collateral information and coordination of care during the time that M1 is being initiated.
Provide after-hours crisis care coordination to students who have presented at the end of the workday for CAPS, or for whom ProtoCall needs consultation.
Provide appropriate resources, information, and referrals when CU Police Officers engage in situations involving substance use or abuse.
Administration
Complete all necessary forms and electronic medical record charting.
Attend CAPS staff and team meetings and case consultation groups.
Attend CUPD staff and team meetings to further coordination and service efforts.
Review CUPD calls for service related to behavioral health crises or mental health incidents that occurred between scheduled shifts to identify individuals who may benefit from follow-up.
Have access to Criminal Justice Records when appropriate.
Participate in Law Enforcement sensitive communications.
Attend professional development training in both the mental health and the public safety domain (for example Crisis Intervention Team (CIT), Crisis Negotiations and CPI course work).
Crisis Care Coordination
Provide mental health consultation with CUPD officers regarding encounters with individuals during their shifts.
Provide consultation with CAPS crisis/triage team following crisis encounters to support adequate follow up and outreach.
As appropriate, provide post-crisis/post-hospitalization follow-up to ensure clients are linked to services.
Liaise with campus departments on student crisis situations and work collaboratively to provide support to students who were recently hospitalized.
Be a Crisis Team or Critical Incident Team member for CU and the surrounding community, as needed.
Collaboration/Outreach
Provide formal mental health trainings for CUPD staff to increase confidence, awareness and effectiveness in dealing with mental health crisis situations.
Develop effective relationships with community mental health co-responders to increase collaboration and partnership with neighboring law enforcement agencies.
Together with CUPD, provide community engagement to the CU campus community to continue to increase awareness of CAPS' role on campus and collaborate with CUPD.
Consult on campus-wide messaging in conjunction with CUPD and CU, as needed.
Serve as a CUPD Liaison and subject matter expert in mental health matters for partners.
What You Should Know
This position has the ability to work in a hybrid work modality.
Hours to be determined and may be outside of CAPS regular business hours, based on Police Dept's needs. Will occasionally be asked to work outside of standard work hours, e.g. providing services at large community events or during crises on-campus. The work of a Co-Responder is generally performed in both a traditional office environment and throughout campus and its adjacent areas.
The work includes adversarial conditions, to include, but not limited to: crises related to mental health, substance use, and active crime scenes. Because of the variation in work duties, the position requires the physical ability to fully accompany officers responding to a dynamic scene, with or without reasonable accommodation.
This posting may fill more than one vacancy.
What We Can Offer
The annual salary range for this position is $82,582.50 - $100,000, and will be based on years of independent licensure as an LCSW, LPC or LMFT. Onboarding assistance is available within Student Life division guidelines.
Benefits
At the University of Colorado Boulder (https://apptrkr.com/get\redirect.php?id=9763818&targetURL=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.colorado.edu%2F) , we are committed to supporting the holistic health and well-being of our employees. Our comprehensive benefits package (https://apptrkr.com/get\redirect.php?id=9763818&targetURL=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.colorado.edu%2Fjobs%2Fbenefits) includes medical, dental, and retirement plans; generous paid time off; tuition assistance for you and your dependents; and an ECO Pass for local transit. As one of Boulder County's largest employers, CU Boulder offers an inspiring academic community and access to world-class outdoor recreation. Explore additional perks and programs through the CU Advantage (https://apptrkr.com/get_redirect.php?id=9763818&targetURL=https%3A%2F%2Fadvantage.cu.edu%2Fcampus%2Fcu-boulder) program.
Be Statements
Be authentic. Be supportive. Be Boulder.
What We Require
Completion of an LCSW, LPC or LMFT from an accredited program.
Current, active Colorado LPC, LCSW, or LMFT license in good standing, or ability to obtain Colorado licensure by date of hire.
Experience with a range of clinical issues, ranging from developmental issues to more serious psychopathology.
At least 2 years of experience in co-response or crisis work (e.g. hospitals, crisis centers, withdrawal management, inpatient psychiatric facilities, residential settings, or schools).
At-least 1 year experience working with law enforcement.
Experience with electronic medical record-keeping and documentation.
Active Driver's license with no restrictions.
Ability to pass a Division of Public Safety pre-hire background investigation including personal history questionnaires, employment and reference checks (for past 10 years), fingerprinting and criminal history checks, psychological suitability assessments and drug screen.
Ability to pass Colorado's Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) training and maintain annual requirements.
What You Will Need
Knowledge of the legal and ethical guidelines and standard methodologies in crisis mental health, assessment and involuntary hospitalization processes.
Ability to stay calm and de-escalate individuals in mental health crisis or in intensified situations.
Ability to work independently and be able to manage crisis in novel and unexpected situations and settings.
Ability to work extended periods of time in variable inside and outside conditions.
Willing to work as needed, including nights, weekends or holidays.
Willingness to partner with others in a wide variety of workspaces, vehicles and external areas including jail settings.
Able to make impactful, independent decisions without direct supervisory oversight.
Able to wear personal protective equipment for extended periods of time, (for example: soft body armor).
Able to complete and maintain 1st Aid, CPR, Narcan and tourniquet training and professional trainings in personal defense required of CAPS clinicians.
Alertness to the environment for safety measures.
Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with multiple entities, especially with law enforcement.
Good written and oral communication skills.
Position requires computer skills.
Special Instructions
To apply, please submit the following materials:
A current resume.
A cover letter that specifically tells us how your background and experience align with the requirements, qualifications, and responsibilities of the position.
We may request references at a later time.
Please apply by August 20, 2026 for consideration.
Note: Application materials will not be accepted via email. For consideration, please apply through CU Boulder Jobs (https://apptrkr.com/get_redirect.php?id=9763818&targetURL=http%3A%2F%2Fcolorado.edu%2Fjobs) .
In compliance with the Colorado Job Application Fairness Act, in any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.
To apply, visit https://jobs.colorado.edu/jobs/JobDetail/Crisis-Triage-Co-Responder-Therapist-CU-Police-Department/74257 (https://apptrkr.com/9763818)
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The University of Colorado does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, pregnancy, disability, creed, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, political affiliation, or political philosophy. All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply.
